{"id":1464,"date":"2022-12-30T15:52:44","date_gmt":"2022-12-30T15:52:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/?p=1464"},"modified":"2024-01-16T19:16:03","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T19:16:03","slug":"is-the-doctrine-of-baptismal-regeneration-the-road-to-hell-post-33-exegesis-of-galatians-326-27-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/?p=1464","title":{"rendered":"Is the Doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration the Road to Hell? – Post 33 (Exegesis of Galatians 3:26-27 – Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

INTRODUCTION<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some in the baptismal regeneration camp assert that Galatians 3:26-27 supports the doctrine of baptismal regeneration.  For example, on page 106 of his book Baptism \u2013 Biblical Study (College Press Publishing, Joplin, MO (1989) [7th<\/sup> printing in 2006]), Dr. Jack Cottrell writes [italics in the original]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Finally, we have discussed how faith and baptism are related to sonship.  There are specified here as the two basic conditions for becoming one with Christ, and thus sons and heirs with Him.  Baptism is the specific point where we become one with Christ or clothed with Him. \u2026 becoming sons of God through faith (3:26) logically follows becoming one with Christ in baptism (3:27).  That which happens through faith <\/em>does not happen until baptism<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Post 33 reports the results of my observation of Galatians 3:26-27 and the broader literary context of Galatians 3:23-29.  The relevant takeaways from my observation are below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, by writing Galatians 3:24, Paul intended to convey to his audience that the purpose of the Law was to direct Jews to be justified, i.e., declared righteous in God\u2019s eyes, by faith alone in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, by writing Galatians 3:26, Paul intended to convey to his audience that becoming a son God, i.e., a believer, was the result of exercising faith alone in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third, by writing Galatians 3:26-27a, Paul intended to convey to his audience that faith alone in Jesus Christ placed a believer in union with Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fourth, by writing Galatians 3:27b, Paul intended to convey to his audience that through their union with Christ they had put aside the requirements of the Law and put on the righteousness of Christ in that God now saw them with Christ\u2019s righteousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 34 discusses the impact the doctrine of analogy of faith has on my interpretation of Galatians 3:26-27.  Further, Post 34 presents my interpretation of Galatians 3:26-27.  Finally, Post 34 applies Galatians 3:26-27 to the doctrine of baptismal regeneration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OBSERVATION OF THE BROADER LITERARY CONTEXT<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Broader Literary Content: Galatians 3:23-29 (NASB95 & Wuest)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The broader literary context is Galatians 3:23\u201329 (NASB95), which reads [emphasis added]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

23<\/sup> But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24<\/sup> Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us<\/em> to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith<\/u><\/strong>. 25<\/sup> But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26<\/sup> For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus<\/u><\/strong>. 27<\/sup> For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28<\/sup> There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29<\/sup> And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham\u2019s descendants, heirs according to promise.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In the Wuest translation, Galatians 3:24\u201329 (WUESTNT) reads [emphasis added]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

24<\/sup> So that the law became our guardian until Christ, in order that on the grounds of faith we might be justified<\/u><\/strong>; but this faith having come, no longer are we under the guardian, for all of you are God\u2019s sons through faith in Christ Jesus<\/u><\/strong>, for as many as were introduced into union with Christ, put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And since you are Christ\u2019s, then are you Abraham\u2019s descendants, heirs according to the promise.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Observations<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The larger block of text, i.e., Galatians 3:23-29, in which vv. 26-27 resides makes a clear distinction between faith (grace) and the Law (works).  Galatians 3:23-25 (NASB95) reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

23<\/sup> But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24<\/sup> Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us<\/em> to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith<\/u><\/strong>. 25<\/sup> But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Note that v. 24 reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us<\/em> to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Jewish New Testament Commentary (Stern, D. H. (1996). Jewish New Testament Commentary : a companion volume to the Jewish New Testament (electronic ed., Ga 3:24). Jewish New Testament Publications) explains the role of the \u201ctutor\u201d (\u03c0\u03b1\u03b9\u03b4\u03b1\u03b3\u03c9\u03b3\u1f78\u03c2) and Jewish believers\u2019 subsequent faith in Christ alone [emphasis added]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

The paidag\u00f4gos actually would have been a harsh disciplinarian, hired to do a job, with the boy required to obey him. Thus the Torah, because it was perverted into legalism, served in the role of harsh disciplinarian for the Jewish people, providing some protection but generally making the Jewish person aware of many transgressions (see v. 19&N), so that we Jews might turn from legalistic rule-following and be declared righteous forensically (2:16a) on the basis of our trusting and being faithful to Yeshua, whose trusting faithfulness to God the Father purchased our salvation.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Verse 24b characterizes salvation as \u201cwe may be justified by faith\u201d (\u1f10\u03ba \u03c0\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2 \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03c9\u03b8\u1ff6\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd).  The NASB95 translates \u1f10\u03ba as \u201cby\u201d which is a preposition of source used to express the source from which another sentential element is derived or is come.  See Lukaszewski, A. L. (2007). The Lexham Syntactic Greek New Testament Glossary. Lexham Press.  The NASB95 translates the noun \u03c0\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2 as \u201cfaith.\u201d  Louw et al. (Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). In Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 375). United Bible Societies) defines \u03c0\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2 to mean:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance\u2014\u2018to believe in, to have confidence in, to have faith in, to trust, faith, trust.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The NASB95 translates the Greek verb \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03c9\u03b8\u1ff6\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd as \u201cwe may be justified.\u201d  The finite verb is aorist passive subjunctive first person plural.  BDAG (Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). In A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 249). University of Chicago Press) defines \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03c9\u03b8\u1ff6\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u00b7as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u2461 to render a favorable verdict, vindicate. \u2026 \u24d1 of experience or activity of transcendent figures, esp. in relation to humans \u2026 \u03b2. of God be found in the right, be free of charges Gal 2:16f (Ps 142:2); 3:11, 24; 5:4;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

When he wrote verse 24b, Paul intended to convey to his audience that a person was saved by their faith alone in Jesus Christ.  There is no mention of water baptism in verse 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, there is no mention of water baptism in verse 26 (NASB95) reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (\u03b4\u03b9\u1f70 \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c0\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2 \u1f10\u03bd \u03a7\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u1ff7 \u1f38\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u1fe6)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The NASB95 translates the Greek preposition \u03b4\u03b9\u1f70 as \u201cthough,\u201d and it functions as a preposition of instrumentality which portrays something as the instrument by which an action is affected.  See Lukaszewski, Id.  The NASB95 translates the article + noun \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c0\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2 as, \u201cfaith,\u201d and it has the same meaning as in v. 24.  The NASB95 translates the preposition \u1f10\u03bd as \u201cin,\u201d and the Logos 9 sense is trust in Jesus as contained in the content of the gospel.  The NASB95 translates \u03a7\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u1ff7 \u1f38\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u1fe6 as \u201cChrist Jesus.\u201d  It is clear that by what he wrote in v. 26, Paul intended to convey to his audience that salvation was by faith alone in Jesus Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galatians 3:24, 26 strongly teach that salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ.  Tom Constable (Constable, T. (2003). Tom Constable\u2019s Expository Notes on the Bible (Ga 3:26). Galaxie Software) makes this point [emphasis added]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Now all who trust in Christ are adult sons (Gr. huioi) and no longer children who are under a guardian. It is faith in Christ Jesus that makes one a son of God <\/u><\/strong>(v. 25).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

George (George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 275). Broadman & Holman Publishers) also makes this point [emphasis added]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

2. You are all sons of God through faith. Not by natural descent nor human contrivance but through faith alone have we entered into this new relationship with the Heavenly Father<\/u><\/strong>. \u201cTo those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God\u201d (John 1:12; cf. Hos 1:10).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n

3. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. The expression \u201cin Christ\u201d is found 172 times in Paul\u2019s writings. Sometimes this expression is used in the instrumental sense of \u201cby\u201d or \u201cthrough Christ,\u201d as we find in Gal 2:17 and 3:14. More often, however, it is used to describe that participation in and union with Jesus Christ that is effected for every believer by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

After an observation of the larger literary context of Galatians 3:23-29, it is impossible to come away with anything but the biblical truth that salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ.  The two broader takeaways are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(1) by writing Galatians 3:24, Paul intended to convey to his audience that the purpose of the Law was to direct Jews to be justified, i.e., declared righteous in God\u2019s eyes, by faith alone in Jesus Christ; and<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(2) by writing Galatians 3:26, Paul intended to convey to his audience that becoming a son God, i.e., a believer, was the result of exercising faith alone in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water baptism has no salvific efficacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OBSERVATION OF GALATIANS 3:26-27<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galatians 3:26-27 in Multiple Translations & NA28<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galatians 3:26\u201327 (NASB95) reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

26<\/sup> For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27<\/sup> For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Complete Jewish Bible translation of Galatians 3:26-27 reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

26<\/sup> For in union with the Messiah, you are all children of God through this trusting faithfulness; 27<\/sup>because as many of you as were immersed into the Messiah have clothed yourselves with the Messiah, in whom<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hebrew Names translation of Galatians 3:26-27 reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

26<\/sup> For you are all sons of God, through faith in Messiah Yeshua.  27<\/sup> For as many of you as were immersed into Messiah have put on Messiah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galatians 3:26\u201327 (NA28) reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

26<\/sup> \u03a0\u03ac\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2 \u03b3\u1f70\u03c1 \u03c5\u1f31\u03bf\u1f76 \u03b8\u03b5\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5 \u03b4\u03b9\u1f70 \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c0\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2 \u1f10\u03bd \u03a7\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u1ff7 \u1f38\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u1fe6\u00b7 27<\/sup> \u1f45\u03c3\u03bf\u03b9 \u03b3\u1f70\u03c1 \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2 \u03a7\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u1f10\u03b2\u03b1\u03c0\u03c4\u03af\u03c3\u03b8\u03b7\u03c4\u03b5, \u03a7\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u1f10\u03bd\u03b5\u03b4\u03cd\u03c3\u03b1\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Observation of Galatians 3:27 (NA28)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verse 27 begins with the Greek adjective \u1f45\u03c3\u03bf\u03b9 which the NASB95 translates as, \u201call of \u2026 who.\u201d  According to Louw et al., supra<\/em>, at Vol. 1, p. 594, it means, \u201cpertaining to a comparative quantity of objects or events\u2014\u2018as many as, as much as.\u201d  The NASB95 translates the Greek conjunction \u03b3\u1f70\u03c1 as \u201cfor,\u201d and it functions as an adverbial casual that is a subordinating conjunction that expresses the basis or ground of an action.  See Heiser, M. S., & Setterholm, V. M. (2013; 2013). Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology. Lexham Press.  The NASB95 translates the preposition + noun \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2 \u03a7\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u1f78\u03bd as \u201cinto Christ.\u201d  The preposition \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2 functions as a preposition of location which shows the physical relationship of one entity to another.  See Lukaszewski, Id.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NASB95 translates the Greek verb \u1f10\u03b2\u03b1\u03c0\u03c4\u03af\u03c3\u03b8\u03b7\u03c4\u03b5 as \u201cyou \u2026 were baptized\u201d and it is aorist passive indicative second person plural.  This \u201cbaptism\u201d was a past one-time action performed upon these believers.  Wuest (Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest\u2019s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 3, p. 111). Eerdmans) explains that the baptism is not water baptism, but a placing into union with Christ:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul now reminds them of how they became united with Christ. When they put their faith in Him as Saviour, the Holy Spirit baptized (introduced or placed) them into vital union with Christ (Rom. 6:3; I Cor. 12:13). The reference cannot be to water baptism, for that never put a believing sinner in Christ. The Greek word baptizo (\u03b2\u03b1\u03c0\u03c4\u03b9\u03b6\u03bf) means \u201cto put or place into.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Brill Dictionary of Ancient Greek (pp. 374-375) contains the following exemplary definitions for \u1f10\u03b2\u03b1\u03c0\u03c4\u03af\u03c3\u03b8\u03b7\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd and related words: one who immerses; to immerse, dip, submerge; cause to sink; to be swallowed, drown; and dipped, dyed, tinted.  It seems reasonable to translate \u1f10\u03b2\u03b1\u03c0\u03c4\u03af\u03c3\u03b8\u03b7\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd as immersed consistent with The Complete Jewish Bible and the Hebrew Names Version, which read:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Complete Jewish Bible: 27a<\/sup>because as many of you as were immersed into the Messiah<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hebrew Names translation:  27a<\/sup> For as many of you as were immersed into Messiah<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A word like immersed is accurate and does not possess the theological gloss of baptized and baptism that can result in an erroneous interpretation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also seems reasonable to translate \u1f45\u03c3\u03bf\u03b9 \u03b3\u1f70\u03c1 \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2 \u03a7\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u1f10\u03b2\u03b1\u03c0\u03c4\u03af\u03c3\u03b8\u03b7\u03c4\u03b5 per Wuest which reads, \u201cfor as many as were introduced into union with Christ.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By writing Galatians 3:26-27a, Paul intended to convey to his audience that faith alone in Jesus Christ placed a believer in union with Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continuing with v. 27b, the NASB95 translates the Greek noun \u03a7\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u1f78\u03bd as \u201cChrist.\u201d  The NASB95 translates the Greek verb \u1f10\u03bd\u03b5\u03b4\u03cd\u03c3\u03b1\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5 as \u201chave clothed yourselves with,\u201d and according to Louw et al., supra at Vol. 1, p. 524, it means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

to put on clothes, without implying any particular article of clothing\u2014\u2018to clothe, to dress, to put on.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Greek verb \u1f10\u03bd\u03b5\u03b4\u03cd\u03c3\u03b1\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5 is in aorist middle indicative second person plural. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anders (Anders, M. (1999). Galatians-Colossians (Vol. 8, p. 39). Broadman & Holman Publishers) explains the expression \u201cclothed yourselves with:\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In verse 27, Paul explains how this adult sonship occurred. We were united with him through the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). This placement into the body of Christ unites all believers. In addition you have clothed yourselves with Christ. In Roman society, when a youth became old enough to be considered an adult, he took off his children\u2019s clothes and put on an adult\u2019s toga. This switch indicated that he had adult citizenship and responsibilities. In the same way, the Galatians had laid aside the old clothes of the law and had put on Christ\u2019s new robes of righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 4:23\u201324).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By writing Galatians 3:27b, Paul intended to convey to his audience that through their union with Christ they had put aside the requirements of the Law and put on the righteousness of Christ in that God now saw them with Christ\u2019s righteousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My observation of Galatians 3:26-27 shows that water baptism has nothing to do with a person exercising faith alone in Jesus Christ and thereby being saved so that they become in union with Christ, and put on the righteousness of Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONCLUSION<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, my takeaways from my observation of Galatians 3:23-29 are below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, by writing Galatians 3:24, Paul intended to convey to his audience that the purpose of the Law was to direct Jews to be justified, i.e., declared righteous in God\u2019s eyes, by faith alone in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, by writing Galatians 3:26, Paul intended to convey to his audience that becoming a son God, i.e., a believer, was the result of exercising faith alone in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third, by writing Galatians 3:26-27a, Paul intended to convey to his audience that faith alone in Jesus Christ placed a believer in union with Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fourth, by writing Galatians 3:27b, Paul intended to convey to his audience that through their union with Christ they had put aside the requirements of the Law and put on the righteousness of Christ in that God now saw them with Christ\u2019s righteousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, George (George, T. (1994). Galatians<\/em><\/a> (Vol. 30, pp. 275\u2013282). Broadman & Holman Publishers) sums it up with respect to water baptism:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

The whole burden of the letter has been to say that salvation is received through faith in Christ alone apart from the works of the law including specifically the requirement of circumcision. After all that Paul had said against the Judaizers and their interposition of circumcision as a prerequisite for a right standing with God, did he here set forth his own rite of initiation into God\u2019s favor? Was he saying to the Galatians: \u201cMy opponents were wrong in trying to circumcise you. What you really need is to be baptized! The requirement of baptism has replaced that of circumcision. If you want to be right with God, you must trust in Jesus Christ and<\/em> be baptized with water\u201d?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n

Yet this is precisely what Paul did not<\/em> say to the Galatians. To believe in Jesus Christ and<\/em> water, Jesus Christ and<\/em> bread and wine, Jesus Christ and<\/em> church membership, Jesus Christ and<\/em> anything else is to profane the grace of God and render useless the death of Christ (2:21). Thus Karl Barth is correct in claiming that Gal 3:27 is looking back to the divine change, to that putting on of Christ, which in Jesus Christ himself has been effected objectively and subjectively for the recipients of the epistle by his Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

VERY IMPORTANT IF YOU BELIEVE IN BAPTISMAL REGENERATION<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, let me quote gotquestions.org (link: https:\/\/www.gotquestions.org\/baptism-Mark-16-16.html<\/a> ):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you believe in baptismal regeneration, you would do well to prayerfully consider whom or what you are really putting your trust in. Is your faith in a physical act<\/em> (being baptized) or in the finished work of Christ on the cross? Whom or what are you trusting for salvation? Is it the shadow (baptism) or the substance (Jesus Christ)? Our faith must rest in Christ alone. \u201cWe have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace\u201d (Ephesians 1:7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR SALVATION<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are unsure about your salvation, you need to check out my book The Salvation Meter: Biblical Self-Diagnostic Tests to Examine Your Salvation and Spiritual Growth<\/strong><\/em> (book link at Xulon Press: https:\/\/www.xulonpress.com\/bookstore\/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662828638<\/a> ).  At Amazon the book link is  https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Salavation-Meter-Biblical-Self-Diagnostic-Spiritual\/dp\/1662828632<\/a> .  I also have a website in which I am updating the content in the book.  The link to my website for the book is https:\/\/thesalvationmeter.com<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 please (1) read through \u201cGod\u2019s Plan of Salvation\u201d so you can understand what God did for you through His only unique Son, Jesus Christ, and (2), from the bottom of your heart, pray the \u201cSinner\u2019s Prayer\u201d meaning every word.  If you do, you will be reconciled to God \u2013 saved – through Jesus Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God\u2019s Plan of Salvation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, God, who is holy, created the entire universe.  As a part of His creative actions, He made humans in His image to know Him.  For a while, everything was right between God and our ancestors, Adam and Eve.    But Adam sinned, and his sin was passed down to all of humankind whereby we became separated from God.  Nothing we could do on our own could bridge that separation so that without God\u2019s intervention, hell would be our eternal destination.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately for us, in His great love and mercy God provided humankind with the only means of salvation, which is through Jesus Christ who is God\u2019s only unique Son.  While retaining His deity, God the Son became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross, thus fulfilling the law Himself and taking on Himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever repent and trust in Him for their salvation.  Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God the Father accepted Christ\u2019s sacrifice and that God\u2019s wrath against us has been exhausted.  He now calls us to repent of our sins and trust alone in what Christ did to save us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we repent of our sins and completely trust in Christ alone that He died for our sins and rose to life from the dead, we are born again into a new life, an eternal life with God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 27, 31; Habakkuk 1:13; Genesis 2:7, 18, 21-25;  Genesis 3:1-7, 23-24; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:19-20, 23; 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16-18; Mark 1:15; Romans 1:4; 4:25; John 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cSinner\u2019s Prayer\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lord, Jesus Christ, the only unique Son of God, thank You for Your free gift of eternal life.  I know I\u2019m a sinner who cannot save myself no matter what I do, and I deserve to spend eternity in hell.  But, I know that because You loved me so much, You voluntarily died on the cross for me taking my sins upon Yourself, and You physically bodily rose from the grave showing that Your sacrificial death was sufficient payment to give me eternal life in Heaven.  I now repent of my sins and trust alone in what You did for my eternal salvation.  Please take control of my life as I now receive You as my Lord and Savior.  Thank You so much for saving me.  I am now Yours forever!<\/em> (Scripture references: John 1:1-4, 11-14; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 10:27-29).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon your salvation, you must find a spiritually solid Bible-believing church that (1) teaches that the sixty-six books of the Bible are the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God, (2) believes in the doctrine of the Trinity, which means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons \u2014 the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit \u2013 and each Person is fully God, and (3) teaches that salvation is by grace through faith and not by works (e.g., water baptism by immersion).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ONE CAUTIONARY POINT.  Please do not make the mistake of thinking that once you become a Christian, your life will become easy.  Most likely, it will become more difficult.  God\u2019s blessing of salvation and life’s difficulties are not mutually exclusive.  Jesus told His disciples, \u201cIf the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.\u201d John 15:18 (NLT).  Always keep in mind that you have an eternal home in heaven waiting for you per John 14:2\u20134 (NLT):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2<\/sup> There is more than enough room in my Father\u2019s home.  If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  3<\/sup> When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.  4<\/sup> And you know the way to where I am going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTICE OF PERMISSIONS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am mindful of and respect the rights other authors and\/or publishers possess in their works.  I thus try my best to not violate any copyright rights other authors and\/or publishers possess in their works.  The below copyright permission statement is the result of my best efforts to understand that limited usage or “fair use” is available and\/or to secure direct permission for specific works.  The quotations from commentaries are considered to be “fair use.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture quotations marked “ESV” are from the ESV\u00ae Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked \u201cNASB95\u201d are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE\u00ae, Copyright \u00a9 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked “NCV” is taken from the New Century Version.  Copyright \u00a9 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.  All rights reserved.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Scriptures marked “NET” are quoted are from the NET Bible\u00ae  http:\/\/netbible.com copyright \u00a91996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright \u00a9 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked “GW” is taken from the God’s Word Bible that is a copyrighted work of God’s Word to the Nations.  Quotations are used by permission.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

INTRODUCTION Some in the baptismal regeneration camp assert that Galatians 3:26-27 supports the doctrine of baptismal regeneration.  For example, on page 106 of his book Baptism \u2013 Biblical Study (College Press Publishing, Joplin, MO (1989) [7th printing in 2006]), Dr. Jack Cottrell writes [italics in the original]: Finally, we have discussed how faith and baptism […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[320],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-baptism"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1464"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2065,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1464\/revisions\/2065"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}